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What Is Depersonalization?

Depersonalization
is a feeling of disconnection from one’s identity. People with
depersonalization feel like they have no control of their own thoughts and actions.
They can feel like they are watching themselves from outside their own bodies,
and that they are outside of reality.

Many
people experience short-term symptoms of depersonalization from time to time.
Ongoing or recurring bouts can indicate depersonalization disorder.

Depersonalization
disorder can cause strain in relationships. It can make normal life, including
work and hobbies, challenging. People who experience long-term or recurring
symptoms that disrupt life, work, and relationships should seek medical advice.

What Causes Depersonalization?

The
cause of depersonalization is largely unknown. It may be related to chemical
imbalances in the brain, specifically in neurotransmitters.

Experiences
of depersonalization can be triggered by stress. They often occur in
conjunction with anxiety, depression, or other mental health conditions. Some
cases have no exact cause or trigger. Others begin after a traumatic event.

What Are the Symptoms of Depersonalization?

People
with depersonalization often have muted senses and slow response times. They
may feel as though their limbs are distorted. Depersonalization can cause a
person to feel disconnected from other people, especially emotionally. These
feelings can be scary, but usually the person is aware that the feelings are
not real.

How Is Depersonalization Diagnosed?

A
brain and nervous system specialist or psychiatrist can diagnose
depersonalization. Doctors will first rule out neurological disorders as the
cause of symptoms. They will also test for other mental health disorders.

According
to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual
of Mental Disorders, the following symptoms indicate depersonalization
disorder:

ongoing or recurring depersonalization or
detachment

awareness that the detachment isn’t real

symptoms interfere with relationships, work,
and life

symptoms not directly caused by other mental
health conditions or the use of drugs, alcohol, or medication

Who Is at Risk for
Depersonalization?

Depersonalization is more likely to
develop in people who have experienced or witnessed a
life-threatening or traumatic event. It can also develop in people with
post-traumatic stress disorders and in people with mental health issues such as
depression, anxiety, or panic disorders.

Depersonalization usually occurs in
teenage or early adult years.

How Is Depersonalization Treated?

Treatment
for depersonalization often includes medication and/or psychotherapy. There are
no medications specific to depersonalization. Some people find relief through
antidepressants or anti-anxiety medications. Psychotherapy can help a patient understand
his or her feelings and overcome fear. It can also help a patient work through
other mental health issues.

What Is the Outlook for
Depersonalization?

Treatments
will seek to provide coping mechanisms and relief of symptoms.

Some
people with depersonalization disorder recover completely. Symptoms sometimes
go away without treatment over time. More often, they require treatment.